Fluorosis: Causes of Fluorosis
Fluorosis is caused by the intake of too much fluoride. The high fluoride intake during the maturation phase of the teeth sensitively alters the enamel surface.
Swipe for more facts about the causes of fluorosis.
Almost one in four children suffers from dental fluorosis ▲. This refers to chalky-white enamel spots on the teeth, which often appear on the front central teeth. They are caused by a disruption of mineralization during tooth development, leading to enamel spots and even enamel defects.
Dental Fluorosis Symptoms: White Spots and Tooth Discoloration
Dental fluorosis manifests relatively simply, as already described, through white spots primarily on the front incisors.
Tooth discoloration: usually chalky-white — dental professionals therefore refer to them as "white spots."
Brown discoloration (rare): Often only a few teeth are affected; in severe cases, the majority of teeth show discoloration.
Mild forms of dental fluorosis: lead to small white enamel spots on the teeth; in cases of severe overdose, enamel defects or even enamel breakdown can occur.
Caution Fluoride!
Between the ages of 1 and 7, too much fluoride can inhibit the healthy development of tooth enamel and lead to dental fluorosis.
How Does Fluoride Overdose Occur?
Fluoride tablets, fluoride-containing toothpaste, and fluoride salt in food can lead to an overdose in children.
Sensitive Phases
Children between the ages of 2 and 5 are particularly sensitive to fluoride overdose.
Effects of Fluoride Overdose
High fluoride intake can sensitively alter the enamel surface, make it more porous, and cause discoloration.
Why Are Children Susceptible?
Due to their low body weight, children are more susceptible to fluoride overdose and often swallow toothpaste.
Fluoride Source Is Often Difficult to Trace
Many products contain fluoride, which makes it difficult to determine the actual amount absorbed.
Replacing fluoride toothpaste with KAREX with BioHAP instead of fluoride already reduces one fluoride source without any loss of cavity protection.
Dental Fluorosis in the Population: Dental fluorosis is widespread among both children and adults.
Approximately one quarter of the population suffers from dental fluorosis due to excessive fluoride intake during childhood.
Visible damage can be improved through elaborate measures, but never completely removed — meaning the fluorosis remains. Depending on the severity, it can be aesthetically bothersome for those affected, but can also have negative effects on the health of the tooth if the resistance of the tooth surface is compromised.
Once damage to the tooth enamel has occurred, covering it up is complex and costly — which is why prevention is the best way to avoid dental fluorosis.
It comes down to the dosage.
The German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment recommends using only one fluoride source in the household in order to minimize the risk of dental fluorosis. Dosage recommendations for fluoride toothpaste are important; however, it is unrealistic to expect children to brush their teeth with a rice-grain-sized amount. It is strongly advised against using fluoride tablets and fluoride-containing toothpaste at the same time.
Fluoride sources: Where exactly is fluoride found?
When parents hear (or read) "fluoride," they quickly think of fluoride tablets — and of course of toothpaste (our KAREX is made with BioHAP instead of fluoride). But there are many other sources of fluoride in everyday life.
Table salt
Many households use fluoridated salt when cooking and baking — this means fluoride can quickly be overdosed.
Even the Consumer Advice Center recommends: "If you use fluoridated salt, you should avoid additional fluoride supplements (dietary supplements or medications)."♢
Foods
Some foods contain notable amounts of fluoride — these include fish, e.g. herring, bloater (0.36 mg/100 g), or sardines, seafood, and black tea.
Fluoride is also found in grains, liver, and meat, as well as in soybeans (0.36 mg/100 g) and walnuts (0.7 mg/100 g).
The highest amounts of fluoride, however, are found in fluoridated table salt (31 mg/100 g) as well as in drinking water and mineral water.
Fluoride tablets
To prevent cavities, babies and toddlers are frequently prescribed fluoride tablets, particularly in areas with low fluoride levels in drinking water.
For healthy bone growth, pediatricians also like to prescribe Vitamin D tablets, often as a combined fluoride supplement.
When using fluoride tablets, dental professional associations as well as pediatricians also recommend brushing with a fluoride-free toothpaste.
Toothpaste
The addition of fluoride to toothpastes is a subject of controversial debate, especially when it comes to products for children under 6 years of age. The main problem: dosage.
Fluoridated toothpaste for children up to 6 years that contains 1,000 ppm fluoride or more should only be applied in a “pea-sized” amount on the toothbrush; for children under 2 years, the amount should be only “rice-grain-sized.”
However, in everyday use, the legally mandated limitation that must be indicated on toothpaste tubes is, on average, exceeded by a factor of five to seven.△
Fluorosis Treatment: Stop excessive fluoride intake immediately
When it comes to dental fluorosis, it is crucial to stop excessive fluoride intake immediately. In mild cases, further treatment is not always necessary; however, the damage — such as white spots on the teeth — is irreversible without intensive dental care. Treatment options include polishing pastes, veneers, composite fillings, or bleaching, but individual consultation with a dentist is advisable.
Prevention is the best approach, as treating spots on the teeth is often complex and costly.
Fluoride-free Products: Prevent dental fluorosis in children before it even starts
Dental care with the tooth-related active ingredient BioHAP
BioHAP instead of Fluoride: KAREX, the children's toothpaste without fluoride
The KAREX children's toothpaste with the tooth-related active ingredient BioHAP, also known as biomimetic hydroxyapatite, offers a fluoride-free solution for dental care in children.
KAREX children's toothpaste with BioHAP: Suitable for all age groups for cavity prevention.
Safe to swallow: No worries if your child swallows toothpaste, as BioHAP dissolves in the stomach.
Clinically proven efficacy – BioHAP works effectively against cavities
BioHAP is just as effective as fluoride in cavity prevention
Cavity protection proven by studies
Numerous scientific publications confirm the effect of Hydroxyapatite in oral care. BioHAP is at least as effective as fluoride in cavity prevention.
Guide: Recommended for you
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Cavities in your child? Find out how you can prevent them and keep your child’s teeth healthy. Discover the best tips now!
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Help your child during tooth transition and find out how you can optimally support this important process. Discover tips and tricks for a smooth tooth transition now!
BioHAP benefits: What exactly is BioHAP?
KAREX – consciously with BioHAP instead of fluoride
BioHAP is hydroxyapatite – the substance our teeth are made of. But BioHAP also stands for effective cavity protection without risk: the alternative for children and for everyone who does not want fluoride in their toothpaste.
▲ Limeback, H., Enax, J. & Meyer, F. (2021): Biomimetic hydroxyapatite and caries prevention: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Can J Dent Hyg.; 55(3):148–159.